What is the Global Acid Rock Drainage Guide (GARD Guide)?
The GARD Guide web address: www.gardguide.com
The International Network for Acid Prevention is pleased that our vision of creating a 'Global Acid Rock Drainage Guide' is a reality. The official roll-out of the GARD Guide was on June 23, 2009 at ICARD 8 in Skelleftea, Sweden.
The development of the Global Acid Rock Drainage (GARD) Guide was sponsored by INAP with the support of the Global Alliance. The GARD Guide was created through the contributions of many individuals and organizations. A team lead by Keith Ferguson and Golder Associates prepared a draft of the Guide.
The GARD Guide deals with the prediction, prevention and management of drainage produced from sulphide mineral oxidation, often termed “acid rock drainage” (ARD). It also addresses metal leaching caused by sulphide mineral oxidation.
The GARD Guide is intended as a state-of-the-art summary of the best practices and technology to assist mine operators and regulators to address issues related to sulphide mineral oxidation.
The GARD Guide currently has 11 Chapters:
- The GARD Guide
- The ARD Process
- Corporate, Regulatory and Community Framework
- Defining the Problem - Characterization
- Prediction
- Prevention and Mitigation
- Drainage Treatment
- Monitoring
- Management and Performance Assessment
- ARD Communication and Consultation
- ARD Management in the Future
The GARD Guide will be updated periodically, addressing comments and questions submitted from workshops and Short Courses. The first revision was completed in the spring of 2012 and focused on four specific chapters: 4, 5, 6 & 7. The Executive Summary of the Guide has been translated into Spanish and French. If you have questions concerning the GARD Guide, please contact Gilles Tremblay, INAP Technical Manager.